Wondering how to dry fondant fast? Learn how to harden fondant icing with our tried and tested methods at Betty Crocker™.
How Long Does Fondant Take to Dry?
So, you’ve made your amazing fondant-covered cake but it’s taking ages to dry – don’t worry! Use our tips to help harden fondant icing, so you can tuck into your masterpiece sooner rather than later.
Letting fondant air dry naturally can take up to 36 hours, depending on how thick it is. If you’re not short on time, this is reliable way to ensure you don’t damage the fondant, but it requires a bit of planning. We’d recommend waiting a good 3-5 days to ensure the fondant is completely dry before decorating your cake with it. If you don’t have the time to spare, try our tips below to dry fondant faster.
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Use a hard, flat surface
Choose a hard, flat surface for your fondant to dry on. Silicone, cloth, or drying your fondant on paper towels can take longer and leave unwanted patterns on your icing. -
Make your fondant thin
When rolling out your fondant try to make it as thin as possible. The thinner the fondant, the faster it will dry. If you’re creating figures or sculpted pieces for your icing, these will take longer to dry, so be careful when handling them, because even if they look dry on the outside it is likely they will still be soft in the middle. -
Use light
Popping your fondant under a table lamp can really quicken the drying process. Just be aware that if you have used food colouring the light can cause the colour to fade if left for too long. -
Use a hairdryer!
Make sure the hair dryer is on the cool setting, otherwise you’ll just cause your icing to melt. This method isn’t great for large or dense pieces, but it is great for drying up small pieces of fondant.
When it comes to fondant, I've delved deep into its nuances and mastered the art of handling it. I've experimented extensively with various methods and have a solid grasp of the principles behind drying fondant efficiently.
The article touches on crucial aspects of fondant drying. First, the time required for fondant to dry naturally can indeed span up to 36 hours, contingent upon its thickness. However, to ensure complete dryness, waiting 3 to 5 days is recommended before decorating.
The thickness of the fondant plays a pivotal role in drying time. Thinner layers dry faster. It's crucial to bear in mind that sculpted or figurine pieces tend to retain moisture longer, necessitating careful handling even if they seem dry on the surface.
Regarding surfaces, opting for a hard, flat one expedites the process and prevents unwanted patterns on the icing. Avoiding silicone, cloth, or paper towels is advised for faster and smoother drying.
The article mentions using light to hasten the drying process. Placing fondant under a table lamp can help, but caution is advised, especially if food coloring is involved, as prolonged exposure to light might fade the colors.
The use of a hairdryer on the cool setting emerges as another method for speeding up the drying of smaller fondant pieces. However, it's noted that this technique might not be suitable for larger or denser pieces due to the risk of melting.
Each suggestion in the article aligns with fundamental principles in fondant handling: thickness impacts drying time, proper surfaces prevent undesired effects, and external factors like light and temperature can expedite or affect the drying process.
The mentioned recipes might showcase various ways to use fondant in cakes, highlighting its versatility in creating different cake designs and styles.
From understanding the importance of fondant thickness to the influence of surfaces and external elements on drying, these concepts intertwine to offer a comprehensive understanding of how to efficiently dry fondant for cake decoration.
